The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Aviation safety issues and actions

Recommendation issued to: Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Output text

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Kawasaki
Heavy Industries clarify the bolt-tightening instructions contained
in Service Bulletin 305 to establish if an allowance should be made
for the frictional torque effects of self-locking nuts.

As a result of technical analysis of the fan blade failures, the
Bureau simultaneously issues the following recommendations:

R19990196

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority alert helicopter maintenance
organisations and all aircraft maintenance engineers to the
potentially detrimental effects of painting engine-cooling
fans.

R19990195

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority alert all aircraft maintenance engineers,
especially those conducting nondestructive inspections, to the
detrimental effects that may be created in critical components by
the abrasion of surfaces during general cleaning or cleaning in
preparation for nondestructive inspection.

Initial response

Initial response

Date issued:

08 August 2000

Response from:

Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Action status:

Closed - Accepted

Response text:

AA. KHI is very surprised to realize that engine cooling fan s/n
A34-08516 was of Bell Helicopter manufacture, although it seems
that you had been informed this information by Bell Helicopter
Textron facsimile dated 10-18-95. As we had been reiterated so far
that "incorrect cooling fan had been used on damaged VH-KEB", we
deeply regret that you had not kept KHI informed so that our
understanding should be revised.

BB. As the circumstances has been altered, we concluded that it
might be better for KHI to revise KH4 Maintenance Instructions to
reflect your recommendation letter R19990197. Please refer to the
DRAFT copy of next revision, which clarifies the general fastening
application and incorporates KSB-BELL-305.

CC. We are preparing to issue this revision in September, 2000.
Should you require additional information, please contact us.